Raiders upgrades all on the line today vs. Titans

Vittorio Tafur, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published
4:00 am PDT, Sunday, September 12, 2010

There has been a lot of talk the last few months about a new direction with the Oakland Raiders. Owner Al Davis and coach Tom Cable have brought in players, both young and old, and gotten rid of others (cough JaMarcus cough) in hopes of instilling a winning attitude and forgetting about the 83 losses the past seven seasons.

Today, in the hot air of Tennessee, we get to see if the talk was also a bunch of hot air or if the Raiders really are better.

A big push in the right direction would come from the often-criticized offensive line, which returns largely intact from a year ago. The five blockers need to avoid mistakes that result in new quarterback Jason Campbell or running back Darren McFadden staring at grass, and teammates and fans looking back at last season.

"I think every year the offensive line feels pressure," said Langston Walker, who has moved back from guard to right tackle. "So much is put on us, whether it's how many yards your running back gets or how many times your quarterback gets hit. There is more on our group especially since we had such a bad year last year and a lot of people have high hopes this year."

It's the nature of the beast, but thanks to new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, the beast has a little more confidence this year.

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: Members of the Seattle Seahawks line up against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 2, 2010 in Oakland, California.

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: Members of the Seattle Seahawks line up against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 2, 2010 in Oakland, California.

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Raiders upgrades all on the line today vs. Titans

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"We have a new plan," Walker said. "Hue puts a lot of emphasis on protecting the quarterback, whether it's the quick throw or leaving tight ends in to block. He has a plan to protect the quarterback, and he is working it every second of every day."

And as far as Campbell, it's been well documented that he is no JaMarcus Russell.

"We have new pieces around us, and a quarterback that knows the system and gets rid of the ball," guard Robert Gallery said. "Having Jason under center makes things a lot easier for everybody. ... There is a new lease on this offense. We're the same guys (on the line) and if sacks are given up, it's on us. But we have to go out and be good."

There is one new face on the line, with 6-foot-8, 315-pound rookie Jared Veldheer beating out 6-3, 300-pound veteran Samson Satele at center. It's another small sign (with the 360-pound Walker at tackle) that the Raiders are going to be using more gap and power blocking than the zone blocking that Cable prefers.

That's what Jackson used as Baltimore's quarterbacks coach last year, and he is calling the plays here. Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, in a conference call with Bay Area media, even called the Raiders offense "the Baltimore system."

"They're very well coached right now and they have clearly bought into it," Fisher said. "They are executing well. The Baltimore system is a very difficult system. It combines strength and power in the physical running game with a precise play-action game, and that's how they make their plays."

Campbell will be looking for quick hits to not only tight end Zach Miller, but also McFadden. The Raiders think the running back will turn a lot of short passes into long gains today and all season.

"There's a couple reasons," he said. "No. 1, we're more settled inside. No. 2, we've probably upgraded ourselves in terms of pass protection at right tackle. And we're on the cusp of having Mario back where he can be a very good player."

The left tackle is a hard worker, but there are times when his focus and discipline leave him and quarterbacks get hurt. When Cable talks about him, he might as well be talking about the entire line.

"You can get coached all day long," Cable said, "but ultimately the responsibility falls in the player's hands to say, 'I've got the skill to do it, I've got the knowledge to do it, now it's up to me to go do it consistently.' That's been a lot of our work."

Today's game

10 a.m. Channel: 5 Channel: 13 Channel: 46 1550, 105.3

Spotlight on: Darren McFadden

With Michael Bush likely out, this should be only the third time the 2008 first-round pick gets more than 12 carries in a game. In the other two, he averaged 19 carries for 116 yards.

Injury notes: Bush, who had surgery on his left thumb, is listed as questionable, but that smacks of posturing on the Raiders part. He is a game-time decision, as is reserve defensive tackle Desmond Bryant (elbow).